Casamayor TKO's Garcia in 9^th Round Claims Superiority in the 130lb. Division

LAS VEGAS, NV (InsideBoxing) "I’m ready for anybody, I feel I’m the best 130 pounder in the world," insisted Joel Casamayor after he successfully defended his WBA super featherweight title. Casamayor won the contest against former IBF Champion Robert Garcia by TKO in the ninth round.

Before Casamayor can lay claim on being the best fighter in his division, he must realize he happens to be in a very strong and tough division. When talk about super featherweights arises we hear the names of Correles, Mayweather, Jr. and Freitas. Quite frankly, Casamayor’s performance against Garcia was dismal at best. It would be hard pressed to include Casamayor with the above mentioned trio.

The hype on this fight was not so much how strong Casamayor is but focused mainly on his defection from Cuba and how he left his family to become a professional fighter in America, Mexican fighters have been doing this for ages.

Casamayor was never in control of this fight instead he was losing. And losing ugly being out classed by Garcia. Granted Garcia is a former champion but he is also a fighter who has seen his best days in the ring. Today’s Garcia would have no chance whatsoever of winning a fight against Correles, Mayweather, Jr. or Freitas.

It was not until the 6^th round when Casamayor decided to take a chance and exchange blows with Garcia. Casamayor’s aggressiveness proved fruitful in that that he won a round. Not only did he win the round he almost won the fight in the 6^th. Garcia barley hung on and will last the round. In the 7^th round instead of coming out and finishing the job, Casamayor elects to take a breather. A clearly hurt Garcia continues to fight until the ninth round when he gets caught with solid left hand and falls to the canvass. Further punches by Casamayor would have Garcia drop to a knee and stumble. Referee Kenny Bayless stops the fight as he has seen enough.

Garcia who claimed to be in the best shape of his life now needs to realize it’s time to hang the gloves. This loss was the 3^rd. in the last 4 for Garcia.

-Blackbull-